Posted on November 08, 2022 in Divorce

When a couple gets divorced, they either negotiate a settlement regarding property division, child custody, and other divorce matters, or a decision is handed down by the court. However, It is not uncommon for circumstances to change among divorced individuals, and certain changes can create a need for people to modify or enforce their divorce agreements. 

Common Kinds of Divorce Modifications

Certain kinds of divorce issues are more common for modifications, while many others will be viewed as being somewhat settled law. Martial property division matters, for example, are usually not going to be something a court revisits.

Some of the areas that may be more likely to see modifications include, but are not limited to:

• Spousal Maintenance — Spousal support payments can be modified when financial situations change for either party. Under 750 Illinois Consolidated Statute § 5/510, spousal maintenance may be modified upon any substantial change in circumstances for either party. The three most common reasons for modifications of spousal maintenance payments are former spouses cohabitating with new partners, former spouses remarrying, or former spouses dying.

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 Posted on October 27, 2022 in Divorce

Infidelity is one of the top reasons for a divorce. The trust and commitment that the married couple had agreed upon have broken down and been betrayed. Though the unfaithful act may cause a marriage to break down, it is often unclear exactly how it affects the divorce. 

What is a No-Fault Divorce?

As of 2016, the state of Illinois recognized irreconcilable differences as the sole grounds for a divorce. Because of this, one spouse cannot blame the other’s actions as the primary reason for the divorce. This is beneficial for the spouse that is petitioning for the dissolution of the marriage in that they are not required to prove that the other spouse is at fault. They must only prove that the couple’s differences are too great for the marriage to continue. 

However, this means that despite the infidelity, the spouse’s actions will not be held against them in accordance with the outcome of the divorce. As far as property division is concerned, they are determined through other factors including:

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 Posted on October 21, 2022 in Divorce

It is no secret that a divorce can be a lengthy process. If the relationship between the couple has become increasingly hostile, it can be exceptionally difficult. Conversely, if the couple wishes to end the marriage but seeks an uncontested divorce, then their compromises and agreements on many issues can expedite the process quite a bit. Depending on a multitude of issues, you can expect a divorce to take anywhere from several months to several years. The key factor is how much conflict lies between you and your spouse.

What Factors Influence the Duration of a Divorce?

A divorce is one of those unfortunate events in one’s life that most typically want to end as quickly as possible. There are certain criteria and steps that can be taken to help get you through it faster.

Children complicate the process exponentially. The courts are seeking the fairest outcome for all parties involved, especially if there are any children. Determining what is best for the children will take additional time. Parenting plans and custody will have to be established. The living situations of the spouses will certainly change and most likely impact the children’s life drastically.

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 Posted on October 14, 2022 in Child Support

Divorce is already a complicated process, but when there are dependents involved, it further complicates matters. Children are the typical dependents involved in a divorce, and most financial support will end when the child reaches eighteen years of age or graduates from high school. There are other instances, however, in which additional support may be required for a dependent who is no longer a minor. 

Just because your child reaches the age of eighteen does not mean they no longer need support. A divorce disrupts many things, but the parents and the courts can work together to find what will be best for a dependent’s future.

What Instances Would Require Non-Minor Child Support?

The state of Illinois can require support for someone over the age of eighteen in a few specific circumstances. While many factors go into the decision of the court to instate support for a non-minor, the two main reasons are education and the health of the child.

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 Posted on October 07, 2022 in Divorce

During a divorce, the couple is encouraged to agree on how to divide their property and settle outstanding issues. This can be a simple task for some amicable couples, but it can become a struggle for others. If agreements can be reached outside of court, it will speed up the proceedings. When the spouses cannot reach an agreement on several issues, introducing a mediator may be highly beneficial. 

Mediation is common in many divorces and is a fair way to ensure that both parties have an opportunity to voice their opinions. In many cases, mediation helps spouses mutually agree on how to dissolve the marriage. With a third party facilitating the conversation, many outstanding disagreements may be solved outside of a courtroom.

What Role Does the Mediator Play?

A mediator is a third party who will help the couple divide property and resolve outstanding issues within the marriage including:

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 Posted on September 30, 2022 in Divorce

Initiating the process of beginning a divorce can seem like an impossible task. Not only does a divorce take an immense emotional toll on everyone involved, but it can also be overwhelming to navigate through all of the legal proceedings and logistics of the process. As is the case with many things in life, starting can be the hardest part. Fortunately, the Law Office of Ronald L. Hendrix, P.C. has years of experience to help you take that first step so you may begin your new life.

Determining your Situation 

There are many considerations at the beginning of the divorce process, but to determine how to begin, you must first assess the marriage itself. 

How to approach the dissolution of the marriage will depend on many factor. Ask yourself:

• Is the divorce contested? Both parties must be in agreement to end the marriage, otherwise, it will be a contested divorce. If it is contested, this will affect how property, finances, and custody issues of the spouses must be resolved. An uncontested divorce is one in which both spouses agree on property division, child custody, and other relevant divorce issues. An uncontested divorce is usually a quicker process, but still may take several months to make it official.

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 Posted on September 23, 2022 in Divorce

When a couple initially gets married, divorce is hopefully far from their minds. However, in the event the spouses do decide to end the marriage, dividing assets can be quite complicated. If you are at all concerned about losing money or property in a divorce, a prenuptial agreement might be a route you need to take. But what exactly are prenuptial agreements, and how do they protect you?

What Are Prenuptial Agreements?

A prenuptial agreement, or premarital agreement, refers to an agreement that the two spouses have made prior to their marriage. It must be signed by both parties and helps establish what property belongs to each spouse. They are more common in marriages involving a larger scope of wealth and many assets they could potentially lose in a divorce. 

For an agreement to be effective certain qualifiers must be met:

• Both parties must be present and in agreement 

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 Posted on September 16, 2022 in Divorce

Among the many difficult and uncomfortable hurdles you face during a divorce comes the question of how to divide the property. If you have been married for many years, it can be undeniably challenging to decide who gets what. You want to make sure you have the best case in your favor to ensure you receive what you are entitled to. 

What is Marital Property and What is Non-Marital Property?

The basis of deciding who retains ownership of certain properties is established by first dividing what is considered “marital property” and “non-marital property”. Though it can still be tricky to determine what is considered “marital” and “non-marital” property, the timing of what was purchased prior to or following the marriage is the primary deciding factor. “Marital Property” refers to all property, including debts and other obligations, acquired by either spouse during the marriage.  

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 Posted on September 09, 2022 in Child Custody

One of the most complicated aspects of a divorce is deciding what is best for your children. If you and your spouse have had children together, it can further convolute an already confusing and stressful event. Learning how to navigate custody, deciding upon a fair parenting plan, and understanding child support can be very overwhelming for an individual. Fortunately, the experienced professionals at Hendrix Law firm can help guide you through the process and provide peace of mind.  

How are Custody and Child Support Determined?

After a divorce, the custody of the children will be decided based on a number of factors.  Every case is unique, but many typical cases are based on similar factors including:

• Education and possible relocation for the children

• The availability of healthcare, dental care, and psychological care

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 Posted on August 29, 2022 in Divorce

High net worth couples are typically comprised of two partners who are driven, ambitious, and have a strong work ethic. Coupled with careful spending habits and excellent investment practices, these couples can accumulate substantial assets both before and during the years of their marriage. And while this can be a blessing in many ways, when a high-net-worth couple starts thinking about divorce, their asset portfolio may pose more problems than solutions. If you are considering divorce and are wondering what impact this could have on your financial well-being, here are some challenges to be aware of. 

Your Divorce Will Likely Take Longer

High net worth divorces generally take longer to complete because a large asset portfolio requires cautious, thorough handling. Couples must first determine how much of any given property is personal and how much is marital; generally, all property acquired during marriage with marital funds is marital. However, even private assets can be commingled with marital assets, sometimes requiring the need for complex asset tracing and valuation. 

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